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Dian Squire

Research Associate - Qualitative Specialist

Dian D. Squire is a Visiting Assistant Professor of Higher Education and Student Affairs at Iowa State University. He has published multiple peer-reviewed manuscripts, book chapters, and periodical pieces. He was the co-founder and first Editor in Chief of the Journal of Critical Scholarship on Higher Education and Student Affairs housed at Loyola University Chicago. Prior to pursuing his doctorate, Dian was the Assistant Director of Orientation and New Student Programs at the University of Maryland College Park. During that time, he created a national award-winning first-year experience program for LGBTQA students called The One Project. He has served on the board of directors for NODA- Association for Orientation, Retention, and Transition in Higher Education and held numerous positions in ACPA-College Student Educators International.

Dian's research focuses on issues of diversity, equity, and justice in higher education. He particularly focuses on access to graduate education and the experiences of diverse graduate students.

Dian received his Ph.D. in Higher Education from Loyola University Chicago. He received his Master's degree in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies- Higher Education from the University of Maryland College Park and his B.S. in Secondary English Education from Florida State University.

Squire, D. (In preparation). A critical race examination of the neo-liberal, -colonial and -racist implications of United States international doctoral student of color admissions. Manuscript in preparation.

Jones, V., & Squire, D. (In press). Toward a critical race tempered radicalism for campus faculty and staff: Conceptualizing empowerment and building radical change capacity in students of color. Journal Committed to Social Change on Race and Ethnicity.

Squire, D., Williams, B, & Tuitt, F. (Accepted). Plantation politics: A new framework to guide the continued search for racial equity in U.S. higher education. Teachers College Record Yearbook.

Squire, D. (In press). The vacuous rhetoric of diversity: How institutional responses to national racial incidences affect faculty of color perceptions of university commitment to diversity. International Journal of Qualitative Studies in Education.

Squire, D. (2015, May 5). Underprepared for the profession: The lack of minority Ph.D.’s has a lot to do with the lack of socialization into the academy. The Chronicle of Higher Education. Retrieved from http://m.chronicle.com/article/Underprepared-for-the/229915/

Squire, D. (2014). First generation college students: Understanding and improving the experience from recruitment to commencement. [Review of the book First generation college students: Understanding and improving the experience from recruitment to commencement by Lee Ward, Michael Siegel, and Zebulun Davenport]. Journal of Critical Thought and Praxis, 2(1), article 1.

Squire, D. (2014, October 16). A response to “An Open Letter to Journal Editors.” The Chronicle of Higher Education. Retrieved from http://m.chronicle.com/article/A-Response-to-An-Open-Letter/149365/

Squire, D. (2013). Back to school: Why everyone deserves a second chance at education [Review of the book Back to school: Why everyone deserves a second chance at education by Mike Rose]. Journal of College Orientation and Transition, 20(3), 7-9.

Squire, D., & Shishineh, L. (2007). Drive-Ins: A quick and useful way for state coordinators to connect with professionals. Journal of College Orientation and Transition, 15(2), 10-11.

It was a pleasure to work with Dr. Sue Rankin and her associate Dr. Genevieve Weber. They worked closely with our dedicated College committee and took great care to ensure the climate study accurately reflected our institution and its needs. We trusted the Rankin & Associates process and thousands of College community members participated in the survey. We now have extensive and valuable data with which we will shape the future of our campus.

Sue Rankin is not only an expert researcher, she is a passionate one, whose commitment to diversity has led her to not only ask the tough questions but to answer them. Her survey on LGBT issues on our campus was the match that fueled the fire. Within two years we moved from essentially no LGBT resources on campus to the administration funding a LGBT Office.

Sue Rankin has perfected the art of assessing campus climates through her nationally recognized consulting firm. A skilled researcher in her own right, Dr. Rankin and her associates are a full service firm from questionnaire construction to data analysis.

Linda A. Mooney, Ph.D.
Department of Sociology
East Carolina University

When the Texas A&M School of Law decided to conduct its first-ever climate survey, we thought we could do it ourselves. Then we came to our senses and sought expert help. Dr. Rankin's step-by-step guidance through the months-long process of designing and implementing the survey and interpreting the results has been invaluable. She brought to the table the experience, insight, and know-how derived from hundreds of surveys and years of studying and writing the relevant literature. When I say we could not have done it without her, I mean it in the most literal sense.

John F. Murphy
Associate Instructional Professor of Law
Texas A&M School of Law

Celebration of diversity and inclusivity are treasured values at West Chester University, but we hadn't taken the opportunity to assess our success and challenges until we committed to conducting a campus-wide survey of climate. Dr. Rankin's approach to the survey development and implementation, bringing all concerned constituencies to the table, was the perfect approach to ensuring wide participation in the survey. ...It is obvious that the campus is engaged; there are conversations everywhere, and the ideas for action are pouring in.

I have appreciated very much my opportunities to work with Dr. Rankin as a consultant. Her commitment to research-based campus climate assessment produces sound and usable results. At the same time she is willing to accommodate client suggestions and respond to client questions promptly and appropriately. Her enthusiasm for improving the campus climate provides clients with positive energy - in addition to consultant expertise - for their campus-based efforts to create inclusive environments.

Sandra Holbrook, Ph.D.
Director Emerita
North Dakota State University

I highly recommend campuses engage Rankin & Associates for campus climate studies. Dr. Rankin brings the experience and insights needed to successfully guide a campus through a critical institutional process. She understands how to best engage campus stakeholders and how to help a campus identify and speak to their unique needs during survey development and in post-survey communications. Sue was a true partner in this process – while it was clear this was our process, we always felt that Sue proactively offered the support and knowledge needed for our campus committee to conduct this study and she was incredibly communicative throughout all phases of the project.

Nariah Broadus
Director, Innovation and Growth
Tuck School of Business
Dartmouth College